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Neonatal and Infant Developmental Program

Mission

The College of Health at The University of Southern Mississippi, Forrest General Hospital and Southern Mississippi Neonatology Group have joined together in a partnership to support the medical and neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm neonates.

These partner organizations are working together to

Implement developmental care at Forrest General Hospital;

Share information with other Neonatal Intensive Care Units across the State of Mississippi, nationally, and internationally;

Provide training to health care staff and students, and

Conduct future research and projects.

Goals

Description:

Developmental Care is a treatment that recognizes the unique fragile status of a premature baby and endorses providing care in the NICU that promotes immediate physiological stability and long-term positive developmental outcomes. The fundamental principles of Developmental Care are based on documented evidence that subtle signs of stress infants demonstrate while in the NICU may precede problematic physiological changes which can negatively affect the infant’s health and development. Developmental Care focuses on altering care to prevent negative physiological changes in order to promote overall medical stability as well as positive developmental outcomes. Implementing developmental care techniques holds tremendous promise for improving developmental outcomes for these infants who are at risk for later developmental differences.

The University of Southern Mississippi’s Neonatal and Infant Developmental Program offers consultation, training, and mentoring for professionals and university students regarding developmental care as well as developmental aspects of children with a history of prematurity. Evidence-based practices that promote infant development provide the basis for trainings and consultation offered to individuals in the fields of nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, child life, community health, audiologist, and neonatology.

The University of Southern Mississippi’s Neonatal and Infant Developmental Program offers:

The University of Southern Mississippi’s Neonatal and Infant Developmental Program operates in collaboration with healthcare organizations including Southern Mississippi Neonatology, Forrest General Hospital, and Neonatal Developmental Care, LLC.

University department affiliations include The Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic, The Children’s Center for Communication and Development, The Department of Public Health, and The Department of Child and Family Studies.

The College of Health is home to more than 21,000 professional alumni, and we want to spotlight those making a difference. Click to learn more about this month's recipient, Department of Nutrition and Food Systems alumna LaShaundrea Crook.

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